In past articles, I have stressed the legal consequences of not meeting Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) mandatory
safety and health standards. Meeting safety requirements is, of course, part of avoiding safety hazards, part of being safe,
part of physical survival.
But today, MSHA enforcement can be of such a magnitude that too many cited violations can threaten business survival. The
new high civil penalties and pattern of violations enforcement are among the most serious economic threats.
The first rule is always to be safe. The most serious hazards can be identified in part by noting history of fatal accidents
in the industry. Here is information everyone needs. Taking 2007 as representative of where and how fatal accidents are happening,
here is a review of last year:
Where metal/nonmetal mine fatalities occurred- 22 percent in operations with 1 to 20 employees.
- 16 percent in operations with 20 to 50 employees.
- 20 percent in operations with 50 to 100 employees.
- 26 percent in operations with more than 100 employees.
Almost half of these were in sand, gravel, stone and cement operations. A third of the victims were contractors.
Typical causes
- Fall of material, parts, equipment or ground.
- Fall of person.
- Equipment (such as outriggers) not properly secured.
- Failure to clear electrical power line.
Types of errors
- Did not deploy outriggers.
- Did not attach fall protection.
- Did not wear life jacket.
- Did not wear seat belt.
- Did not barricade, block or protect.
- Went behind guard.
